Video: African Art, Its Philosophy and Criticism - Flashcards (60 VOCABULARY CARDS)

60 vocabulary-style flashcards extracted from the notes, covering Akan, Bamana, and Dahomey material from the lecture. Each card pairs a term with a concise definition suitable for quick study.

Akan

West African ethnic group in southern Ghana, including sub-groups such as Fante, Asante, Kwawu, Akyem, Akuapem, and Akwamu.

Asantehene

The king of the Asante confederacy; the supreme ruler and symbol of unity.

Osei Tutu

Founder of the Asante Confederacy who united its states.

Okomfo Anokye

Priest who helped unify the Asante and conjured the Golden Stool.

Kumasi

Capital city of the Asante kingdom; center of political and cultural power.

Kwaaman

Radius/area around Kumasi, considered the cradle of the Asante.

Tafo

One of the early states that formed the Asante Confederacy.

Otikrom

Early state in the rise of the Asante confederacy.

Amakom

Early state in the development of the Asante polity.

Anyinase

Early state contributing to Asante formation.

Kaase

Early state contributing to the Asante Confederacy.

Denkyira

Powerful neighbors whose conquest spurred unity among Asante states.

Sika Dwa Kofi

The Golden Stool; symbol of unity and national spirit for the Asante.

Adansie-Amansie

Cluster of states around Kumasi linked to Asante origins.

Adinkra

Symbolic motifs used in cloth and art conveying proverbs.

Adinkra cloth

Textile stamped with Adinkra symbols; used for mourning or celebration.

Adinkrahene

The king of Adinkra symbols; emblem of leadership.

Hwemudua

An Adinkra symbol (often interpreted as a rod or emblem of excellence) used in designs.

Nyame

The supreme Being in Akan cosmology; creator and source of life.

Onyame

Alternative name for the supreme Being; used in Akan spirituality.

Asaase Yaa

Earth goddess; sacred earth spirit associated with motherhood and care.

Mogya

Blood; inherited from the mother in Akan cosmology.

Ntoro

Character or paternal essence; one of the three parts of humankind.

Sunsum

Soul; spiritual aspect of a person attributed to God.

Abusua

Matrilineal clan/family group in Akan society.

Abusua panyin

Head of an abusua (elder of the clan).

Bosumpra

Patrilineal ntoro group in Akan social structure.

Bosomayesu

Patrilineal ntoro kin group in Akan society.

Bosumuru

Patrilineal ntoro group among Akan peoples.

Asona

Akan matrilineal clan (abusua) with its own totems and lineage.

Anona

Akan matrilineal clan; part of the abusua system.

Twidan

Akan matrilineal clan; part of the abusua system.

Adwenadze

Akan matrilineal clan; part of the abusua system.

Fante

Coastal Akan sub-group; language and culture.

Oyoko

Clan that founded Kumasi; among the migratory groups that formed the Asante.

Akyem

Akan sub-group in the region east of Ashanti; part of Akan world.

Akuapem

Akan-speaking sub-group in the eastern region of Ghana.

Kwawu

Akan sub-group; part of the broader Akan family.

Adinkra symbols

Geometric symbols used to convey messages and proverbs in cloth and art.

Nsaa

Adinkra-adjacent cloth symbolism associated with excellence.

Kente weaving

Ribboned, multicolored fabric produced in specific villages like Bonwire.

Ntonso

Craft village famous for Adinkra cloth production.

Krofo From

Craft village renowned for brass casting.

Bonwire

Craft village famous for Kente weaving.

Mpaboahene

Chief in charge of sandals and regalia for a king.

Abanasehene

Sub-chief responsible for clothing/regalia in the royal court.

Mponponsuohene

Sub-chief responsible for swords and weapons regalia.

Nkowdwahene

Sub-chief in charge of stools and ceremonial regalia.

Akyeampoma

Spokesperson staff; insignia of the okyeame (spokesperson).

Okyeame

Chief’s spokesperson; intermediary and advisor in public discourse.

Atumpan

Talking drum used to send messages and proclaim events.

Fontomfrom

Large royal drums central to Akan royal ceremonies.

Ntakerakye

Feathered headdress worn by the Asantehene; symbol of authority.

Stools

Regalia of authority; central symbols of monarchy (e.g., the Golden Stool).

Swords

Ceremonial and ritual swords used in durbars and oath-taking.

Umbrella

Large canopy protecting the chief; topped with ntuati symbols.

Ntuati

Umbrella tops bearing proverb-like inscriptions and symbols.

Adinkra symbols (logos)

Some symbols adopted in modern logos and institutional emblems.

Gye Nyame

Adinkra symbol meaning “God is supreme” or “except God.”

Nyame biribi wo suru

Adinkra proverb: “God there is something in heaven, let me reach it.”

Kamalen-ton

Young men’s association in Bamana culture; public works and performances.

Ci Wara

Bamana mythic half-man, half-beast associated with farming; Ci Wara Jo.

Boli

Bami/Bamana sacred altar sculptures; wooden forms encrusted with sacred materials.

Jow

Bamana initiation societies; political, judicial, religious, and ceremonial groups.

Gwan

Bamana women’s association; relates to fertility and childbirth rites.

Gwandusu

Female figures associated with the Gwan association.

Gwantigi

Male consort; the first blacksmith in Bamana lineage.

Kamalen-ton

Young men’s association in Bamana; public works and performances.

Kuduo

Cast brass container used to store valuables or as a goldweight.

Forowa

Sheet brass container used for cosmetics and small items.

Numu

Mande blacksmith caste; master metal workers (brass and iron).

Dahomey (Fon)

Kingdom in what is now Benin; royal court with unique art forms.

Fa (divination)

Fon divination system; like Ifa for Yoruba; determines art forms.

Legba (Eshu)

God of change and messenger in Fon/Yoruba religious cosmology.

Appliqué cloth

Decorated cloth with fabric appliqué used for banners, clothing in Dahomey court.

Abomey

Royal capital of the Dahomey Kingdom; center of art and state power.

Bocio

Protective figures; potente magical or medicinal power, often associated with royal or commoner contexts.

Fa name (strong name)

Divinatory name given to a Fon king; embedded into royal art and palace symbolism.

Fa (divination) and Legba connection

Fa (divination) and Legba influence art in Dahomey court.

Appliqué cloth in Dahomey

Elaborate appliqué designs on banners and royal clothing in Dahomey court.

Gele (Dahomey)

Royal cloth and cap traditions within the Dahomey court.

Dahomey kingship

Centralized royal authority; wealth from slave trade and war; strong priestly support.